About storytelling in Michigan or including Michigan storytellers. This includes links to find local Michigan, regional, & national storytelling organizations. Other issues of interest to lovers of storytelling in Michigan also are found here. Be sure to visit the Bulletin Board page for the latest information.
An important part of this website is the regular posting & archiving of issues of the email newsletter, "MI Story."

The
monthly Moth Story Slam located at the bar Cliff Bell’s 2030 Park Avenue,
Detroit thanks to WDET 101.9. Prepare a 5 minute story on the theme, toss your
name in the hat, and if your name is pulled, step up and tell your true
personal story live without notes.Volunteers from the audience judge the stories. Note: adults only. Info:www.theMoth.org
Language and topics are often unsuitable for children. Tickets $5 at the door.
This month’s theme is: “Coinsidence.”

October 2-4, Jonesborough Tennessee

Michigan’s own, Corinne Stavish will be an emcee at the National
Storytelling Festival.

October 7, Mt
Pleasant 6:45-8:00 p.m.Mid-Michigan
Area Storytellers (MAST): Welcomes new members to their monthly meeting, at
the Veterans
Memorial Library in Mt. Pleasant. 301 South UniversityAvenue.Info: Joe Remenar jremenar66@yahoo.com

October 8, Ann Arbor 7:00-9:00
p.m.Come and lend an ear to the old tales and new ones too at
an evening of stories for grownups. At Crazy Wisdom Tea Room, 114 S. Main St. Enjoy
yummy desserts, exotic teas, or light supper while listening to Ann Arbor
Storytellers’ Guild members. Info: www.facebook.com/annarborstorytellers

October 14,
Muskegon 7:00-9:00 p.m.Muskegon
Yarnspinners: welcome new
members at their monthly meetings from October through May at the Hope
Reformed Church, 1878 Evanston, (Corner of Quarterline and Evanston).
Monthly meetings continue from June through September at members' homes.
Contact Ned Carter, 231-755-2383 or email him at carteredwin93@yahoo.com

North Oakland County
Storytellers at the historic Kelley-Fisk Farm tell spooky stories in the old
barn for their annual “Fright Night.”Stories
get scarier as the night goes on! Feature performers : Magee and Jack Ferguson
(Cowboy Jack) Admission is $2 per person or $5 per family. Contact:
Ron Hinman 248-698-9279. http://www.northoaklandcountystorytellers.org/events

October 20, Grand Rapids 7:00-9:00 p.m.

StorySpinners of GrandRapids welcomes new
members to their monthly meeting in members’ homes call Gloria Cangelosi for
more informationstoryspinnersgr@gmail.com

October 20,
Ann Arbor 6:00 p.m. doors open/7:30 p.m. stories begin

Doors open at 6:00 for the monthly Moth Story Slam located at Circus Bar,
210 S. First Avenue, thanks to Michigan Public Radio. Prepare a 5 minute story
on the theme, toss your name in the hat, and if your name is pulled, step up
and tell your true personal story live without notes.Volunteers from the audience judge the
stories. Info:www.theMoth.org Note: adults only. Language and topics are
often unsuitable for children. Tickets $8 at the door. This month’s theme “Guts”

October
24 Detroit 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

Detroit
Association of Black Storytellers invites you to attend their monthly meeting at the
Charles Wright Museum of African American History, 315 E Warren
Ave. Join us for a story, workshop, refreshments and business meeting. www.detroitassociationofblackstorytellers.com
or call Pam Williams: 248-836-7499. New members welcome.

October 24, Howell 10:30 a.m.

Free
Scary Storytelling workshop with national storyteller Lyn Ford. Howell Carnegie
District Library. All invited. 314 W Grand River Ave. Part of the Scary Story
Festival sponsored by the Ann Arbor Storytellers’ Guild, Howell Carnegie
District Library, Howell Opera House and the Northlands Storytelling Network. For more
information, contact Jeff Doyle, at (517) 404-8257 or Jeff@myblueape.comor www.AnnArborStorytelling.org

October 24, Detroit 1:00-3:00 p.m

Detroit Public Main
Library is celebrating 150 years with a Sesquicentennial
Tea: Reflections of Community Service in Detroit. Tell us the history of
your organization’s service in the ”D”. Main Library Friends Auditorium, 5201
Woodward. The event is free and open to the public. 313-833-1490

October 24, Howell 1:00 p.m.

Free
Scary Story Swap. Bring your best scary story to share. Open telling at the
Howell Carnegie District Library. All invited.314 W Grand River Ave. Part of the Scary Story Festival sponsored
by the Ann Arbor Storytellers’ Guild, Howell Carnegie District Library, Howell
Opera House and the Northlands Storytelling Network.For more information, contact Jeff Doyle, at (517)
404-8257 or Jeff@myblueape.com or www.AnnArborStorytelling.org

October 24, Howell 7:00 p.m.

Scary Story Festival
Family Concert.All are invited to Free
family concert at the Howell Opera House, 123 W. Grand River. Concert is
sponsored by the Ann
Arbor Storytellers’ Guild, Howell Carnegie District Library, Howell Opera House
and the Northlands Storytelling Network. Info:
Jeff Doyle, at (517) 404-8257 or Jeff@myblueape.com or www.AnnArborStorytelling.org.

20th
Annual Halloween Hoot for kids of all ages at Beverly Park featuring Judy Sima
and Michele McKenney. Wear a costume and enjoy a walk through the haunted woods
followed by delightfully frightful tales told under the park pavilion. Beverly
Road, north of 13 mile, west of Southfield Rd. For information: 248-644-7802.

Check
out November TELLABRATION!Events – Guilds
and storytelling enthusiasts all around the globe will share their storytelling
talents to celebrate the art of storytelling. In Michigan, TELLABRATION!™ brings together our most celebrated
storytellers, to delight, captivate, and mesmerize audiences with their tales.
See MI Story in October and November for updates.

November 4, Mt
Pleasant 6:45-8:00 p.m.Mid-Michigan
Area Storytellers (MAST): Welcomes new members to their monthly meeting, at
the Veterans
Memorial Library in Mt. Pleasant. 301 South UniversityAvenue.Info: Joe Remenar jremenar66@yahoo.com

November5 , Detroit 4:30 p.m. doors open/7:00 p.m.
stories begin

The
monthly Moth Story Slam located at the bar Cliff Bell’s 2030 Park Avenue,
Detroit thanks to WDET 101.9. Prepare a 5 minute story on the theme, toss your
name in the hat, and if your name is pulled, step up and tell your true
personal story live without notes.Volunteers from the audience judge the stories. Note: adults only.
Info:www.theMoth.org
Language and topics are often unsuitable for children. Tickets $5 at the door.
This month’s theme is: “Payback.”

November 11,
Muskegon 7:00-9:00 p.m.Muskegon
Yarnspinners: welcome new
members at their monthly meetings from October through May at the Hope
Reformed Church, 1878 Evanston, (Corner of Quarterline and Evanston).
Monthly meetings continue from June through September at members' homes.
Contact Ned Carter, 231-755-2383 or email him at carteredwin93@yahoo.com

November 13, Livonia 7:00 p.m.Join the Detroit Story League as they celebrate 103 years of 'Service Through Storytelling' with Tellabration! a Night
of Storytelling for Adults. 6:00 p.m. Silent Auction, 7:00 p.m.
storytelling followed by refreshments; featuring Gwendolyn Lewis, Alma
Petrini, Judy Sima and Elizabeth Najduch as
Maestro. Admission is $5 at the door. Livonia Civic Center Public
Library Auditorium, 32777 Five Mile Rd. Directions to Library 734-466-2491 or
for more information call 248-476-8515 or email Judy@JudySima.comwww.detroitstorytelling.org

Please
join the Muskegon Yarnspinners for their 5th annual Tellabration! - A celebration of storytelling for
audiences 12 years old thru adult. These stories will entertain you, humor you,
and stay with you long after the evening is over.

Michigan’s
own, Judy Sima shares “My Mother’s Voice,”the compelling story of her Mother’s
encounter with the Gestapo on Kristallnacht or the Night of Broken Glass, her
escape from Germany during World War II and adjustment to her new life in
America. Using intriguing
“Conversation Starters,” Judy helps you bring treasured memories of your family
back to life.Illinois Holocaust
Museum, 9603 Woods Drive. Information: Amanda Friedman 847-967-4884.

November 17, Grand Rapids 7:00-9:00 p.m.

StorySpinners of GrandRapids welcomes new
members to their monthly meeting in members’ homes call Gloria Cangelosi for
more informationstoryspinnersgr@gmail.com

November 17,
Ann Arbor 6:00 p.m. doors open/7:30 p.m. stories begin

Doors open at 6:00 for the monthly Moth Story Slam located at Circus Bar,
210 S. First Avenue, thanks to Michigan Public Radio. Prepare a 5 minute story
on the theme, toss your name in the hat, and if your name is pulled, step up
and tell your true personal story live without notes.Volunteers from the audience judge the
stories. Info:www.theMoth.org Note: adults only. Language and topics are
often unsuitable for children. Tickets $8 at the door. This month’s theme “Gifted”

November 20,Mount Pleasant 7:00-8:30 p.m.

Come join
Mid-Michigan Area Story Tellers for our 20th year of Tellebrations! New venue this year. 319 S.
University Ave. Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Central Michigan
auditorium . Admission $5. For more details, click our events tab. Make plans
with your family and friends to attend. It's going to be a fun night of
storytelling! Visit us on Facebook. For further information, contact Carol
Garner, 989-506-8829, or sdcagarner@yahoo.com.Michiganstorytellers.com

November 20, Tecumseh 7:30 p.m.

Corinne Stavish will tell stories and host the 2nd Annual
Tecumseh Tellabration! at the Tecumseh Center
for the Arts, 400 N Maumee St.
(517) 423-6617​. All are welcome to share a
5-minute story. Admission is $5. Contact Shelley Lim, slim@tecumseh.mi.us

Detroit
Association of Black Storytellers invites you to attend their monthly meeting at the
Charles Wright Museum of African American History, 315 E Warren
Ave. Join us for a story, workshop, refreshments and business meeting. www.detroitassociationofblackstorytellers.com
or call Pam Williams: 248-836-7499. New members welcome.

DECEMBER

December 2, Mt
Pleasant 6:45-8:00 p.m.Mid-Michigan
Area Storytellers (MAST): Welcomes new members to their monthly meeting, at
the Veterans
Memorial Library in Mt. Pleasant. 301 South UniversityAvenue.Info: Joe Remenar jremenar66@yahoo.com

December 3, Detroit
4:30 p.m. doors open/7:00 p.m. stories begin

The
monthly Moth Story Slam located at the bar Cliff Bell’s 2030 Park Avenue,
Detroit thanks to WDET 101.9. Prepare a 5 minute story on the theme, toss your
name in the hat, and if your name is pulled, step up and tell your true
personal story live without notes.Volunteers from the audience judge the stories. Note: adults only.
Info:www.theMoth.org
Language and topics are often unsuitable for children. Tickets $5 at the door.
This month’s theme is: “Excuses.”

December 4-5, Grosse Pointe Shores 5:00-8:00 p.m.
Edsel & Eleanor Ford House - Winter Wonderland Weekends. Bundle up the
family for some outdoor fun because Ford House will be putting a little sparkle
around your steps this holiday season! Enjoy Storytelling by Karen Czarnik,
twinkling lights & holiday music while you stroll around the grounds.
For more info go to www.fordhouse.org/events/
1100 Lake Shore Road.

December 6, Detroit, 2:00 p.m.Join award
winning storyteller, author, and teaching artist, Judy Sima, for
"Storytelling: Hanukkah the Festival of Lights" as she lights up the
holiday season with Hanukkah stories of miracles, menorahs, and magic dredyls.
Detroit Institute of Arts, 5200 Woodward Ave. Info: www.DIA.org

December 9,
Muskegon 7:00-9:00 p.m.Muskegon
Yarnspinners: welcome new
members at their monthly meetings from October through May at the Hope
Reformed Church, 1878 Evanston, (Corner of Quarterline and Evanston).
Monthly meetings continue from June through September at members' homes.
Contact Ned Carter, 231-755-2383 or email him at carteredwin93@yahoo.com

December 10, Ann Arbor 7:00-9:00
p.m.Come and lend an ear to the old tales and new ones too at
an evening of stories for grownups. At Crazy Wisdom Tea Room, 114 S. Main St. Enjoy
yummy desserts, exotic teas, or light supper while listening to Ann Arbor
Storytellers’ Guild members. Info: www.facebook.com/annarborstorytellers

December 11-12, Grosse Pointe Shores 5:00-8:00 p.m.
Edsel & Eleanor Ford House - Winter Wonderland Weekends. Bundle up the
family for some outdoor fun because Ford House will be putting a little sparkle
around your steps this holiday season! Enjoy Storytelling by Karen Czarnik,
twinkling lights & holiday music while you stroll around the grounds.
For more info go to www.fordhouse.org/events/
1100 Lake Shore Road.

December 13, Grand Rapids 7:00-9:00 p.m.

StorySpinners of GrandRapids welcomes new
members to their monthly meeting in members’ homes call Gloria Cangelosi for
more informationstoryspinnersgr@gmail.com

Doors open at 6:00 for the monthly Moth Story Slam located at Circus Bar,
210 S. First Avenue, thanks to Michigan Public Radio. Prepare a 5 minute story
on the theme, toss your name in the hat, and if your name is pulled, step up
and tell your true personal story live without notes.Volunteers from the audience judge the
stories. Info:www.theMoth.org Note: adults only. Language and topics are
often unsuitable for children. Tickets $8 at the door. This month’s theme “Joy”

December 18-19, 26 Grosse Pointe Shores 5:00-8:00 p.m.
Edsel & Eleanor Ford House - Winter Wonderland Weekends. Bundle up the
family for some outdoor fun because Ford House will be putting a little sparkle
around your steps this holiday season! Enjoy Storytelling by Karen Czarnik,
twinkling lights & holiday music while you stroll around the grounds.
For more info go to www.fordhouse.org/events/
1100 Lake Shore Road.

December 26, Grosse Pointe Shores 5:00-8:00 p.m.
Edsel & Eleanor Ford House - Winter Wonderland Weekends. Bundle up the
family for some outdoor fun because Ford House will be putting a little sparkle
around your steps this holiday season! Enjoy Storytelling by Karen Czarnik,
twinkling lights & holiday music while you stroll around the grounds.
For more info go to www.fordhouse.org/events/
1100 Lake Shore Road.

WELCOME!

Here you will find information about storytelling in Michigan or including Michigan storytellers. This includes links to find local Michigan storytelling, national, & regional organizations. Other issues of interest to lovers of storytelling in Michigan also are found here. Be sure to visit theBulletin Board page for the latest information.

An important part of this website is the regular posting & archiving of issues of MI Story. MI Story is published by: Yvonne Healy, Editor-in-Chief; Judy Sima, Distribution Editor; Lois Sprengnether Keel, Webmaster.

To view the current issue or a past issue of MI Story, click on the Recent Posts of interest.

51% or greater Spoken Word/Narrative;

open to the General Public;

feature either Michigan storyteller or Michigan location.

Search This Site

Transition of MI Story Archive

This site has moved to Blogger while keeping the domain name of http://www.michiganstorytelling.org . Because all issues prior to this move were added at one time, the listing of the first two years' issues is misleading. To find each individual month for those initial two years, look under April, 2010.

About Me

For the best overview of my work, go to my website at http://www.LoiS-sez.com, however you will find me in many places beyond that!

My storytelling takes you Around the World & Back Through Time with folktales to match your topic or historical reenactments. While most of my storytelling has been in Michigan, I've told in other states, the territory of Puerto Rico, plus Canada, Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, & St. Kitts. My Theatre undergraduate degree influences my storytelling & graduate degree in Library Science leads me to research widely. Starting in 1970, I've years of storytelling experience. Until 2006, this was combined with librarianship. That year I was accepted into the MI performing arts touring directory & left Mount Clemens Public Library (where I was in charge of Children's Services) for full-time storytelling. My current listing with MI Arts & Humanities Directory was renewed & runs through 2018. My passion for supporting storytelling includes storytelling organizations, hosting http://MichiganStorytelling.org & founded Mt.C. Raconteurs & North Oakland County Storytellers, serving their 1st 2 yrs. as president. I was also a long-time active member of Flint Area Story Tellers. FAST and the Raconteurs are currently dormant. I also love to teach storytelling. I believe exposure to storytelling is critical to the acceptance of this art & foundational to language skills. Online I am an assistant administrator for the international network of storytellers at http://professionalstoryteller.ning.com. I'm the National Storytelling Network's Michigan State Liaison and for many years was on the Board of Youth, Educators, Storytellers (Y.E.S.!) Alliance as their webmaster. I also am a certified WordWeaving instructor, a teaching method especially suited to teachers & librarians, but useful for any beginning storytellers. I've training from V.S.A. Arts & have done both residency & special event work for this organization focused on bringing the arts to the disabled. I wrote a portion of the book, Tell the World; Storytelling Across Language Barriers, compiled & edited by Margaret Read MacDonald. My chapter was about telling with Sign Language.

Besides my website there's my blog of research topics related to my work at Storytelling + Research = LoiS and now includes a Civil War Sesquicentennial blog, Michigan's "Fighting Fifth" Infantry, where I posted the newspaper articles about this regiment which has been little documented, but was part of the reason Abraham Lincoln said "Thank God for Michigan!" as they engaged in most major battles of the Civil War. I hope you visit both the blog and my website, http://www.LoiS-sez.com.